jiminyC_fan

chengkp75, just a simple thank you for taking time to address all the questions and putting a stop to many of the uninformed speculation.  Your time and expertise is much appreciated. 

4 minutes ago, Vineyard View said:

 

I absolutely believe that the people who just want to fan flames on this thread without anything factual to back their positions are showing lack of character. 

AMEN.  Well spoken.

11 minutes ago, Daniel A said:

The PAX wouldn't need to sue if they were treated fairly in the first place.

You need to STOP.

9 minutes ago, Richard2 said:

None of us has enough information to either condemn or exonerate anyone. This has become nothing more than a massive trolling opportunity. 

I was trying to figure out what to say in this regard and you said it perfectly.  I think people need to sit back and let the experts do their job.  Assuming and putting blame on the situation when the facts aren't even known seems a bit premature and judgmental.

16 minutes ago, Dekksguten said:

Helmet cam footage from one of the rescue squads. 

Thank you very much for posting. 

8 minutes ago, gretschwhtfalcon said:

Yes. Evacuated last evening around 8. To my knowledge no evac’d pax have been allowed back on the ship yet, but certainly can’t speak for those leaving tonight. I suspect their things might be shipped to them if they couldn’t board. We are in the hotel until further notice. 

As I sit hearing reading, watching videos, looking at still pictures and finally seeing the ship moored in Molde tears stream down my face.  I am so very thankful that you and all the people onboard are safe.  I thank you for taking the time so that we can hear  your personal account of the ordeal.  I'd say that I am amazed at the professionalism of the crew during the time but that would be wrong.  Viking has always been excellent and to read how well they reacted in a true emergency confirms why I will continue to sail with them.  Safe travels home.  God bless.

I was reading "somewhere else" and a lady posted an hour ago,

" We are onboard Viking Sky right now, injured passengers evacuated by helicopter. We are surrounded by helicopters and tug boats and moving a little now
Crew have been amazing
Its still very rough and we have alot of movement still.
Ship is in a real mess "

It's great to hear how the crew has been amazing!  😍

8 minutes ago, kathy49 said:

It is the obvious question...why with all the sophisticated weather information available these days would they leave port?  I think Viking is going to be faced with some serious legal action on this one....no one should have to endure something like this...I watched a bit of the video and got sick just watching it...some below are making light of this?  I guess they wanted to "stay on schedule"?

 

 

Facts are not out so rather than trying to figure out why or talk about legal action,  let's concentrate on the passengers and crews lives and safety.  

Thank you TrumpyNor for keeping us all informed.  I pray for the safety of all passengers and crew. 

Personally, I will wait for the facts and experts rather than guess and judge what may have caused the engine failure.  At this point, it's too early for anyone to know. 

We took the Homelands cruise and loved it.  We flew out of Denver but did not have a direct flight (we had Viking Air Plus).  We had a connection in NJ.  We did fly nonstop from Frankfurt to Denver on our return.  We were in Stockholm for 4 days and saw so much.  Really happy that we added it on.   I was disappointed in the post stay for Bergen.  Everything was great but we sure wish we had more time in Oslo. With the limited time we were still able to see some great sites but I felt let down that we didn't have enough time to explore on our own.   It sounds like you plan to do it on your own so you will be much better off.

I see you mentioned Alla and we were extremely pleased with them.  We were sorry that we didn't use them in any other city than St Petersburg.  They kept us in front of the crowds at all sites.  If you are interested in Pulpit Rock in Stavanger you can do it cheaper than Viking by using Norled or Rodne.  They are just a very short walk from the ship.  You can buy your tickets ahead of time online.

Surprisingly, our favorite port was Eidfjord.  They don't always stop there so your itinerary may not.  We didn't do the included tour or an optional tour.  We actually spent the day on a beautiful hike on our own.   Fresh air and no hustle and bustle of a tour.  It was wonderful.

We used a TA and saved 2500.00 BUT the TA's can no longer give you discounts.  They can only offer onboard credit.  We usually book things on our own but would definitely use our TA again.

I don't mind it at all.  Do we really need to run two things at a time?  Logging in really isn't a chore.

I agree with all of Peregrina's points.  If I wasn't properly informed I would have walked out.  I want politics left at home when I am on a vacation. 

SM77, we like to tip in the local currency as well.

We got the ours at Wells Fargo.  It's not our bank but you can order from them.  We sat down and figured out about how much we would be spending including tips and ordered that amount. If we had any leftovers, Wells Fargo would buy them back.  We ran out in Denmark but luckily the cabs accepted credit cards.  I think we got 7 or 8 different currencies all at the same time.  We liked having the money beforehand so we didn't have to take the time in port to look for an ATM.

We were DV and got everything the minute it was opened.  Also, got Chef's Table and Manfredi's and the times we wanted.

3 hours ago, OneSixtyToOne said:

This blog gives you a detailed view of the cabins in question:

https://viking-cruises-cabin-guide.blogspot.com/p/cabins-to-avioid.html

Great blog.  Thanks for sharing.

On 2/23/2019 at 7:13 AM, Peregrina651 said:

 

Hey, Dauntless, they heard you! Check this out: https://www.vikingcruises.com/oceans/why-viking/viking-difference/viking-difference-wvin.html

That's awesome!

Sorry you missed Antigua.  We loved it.  BUT, I love your attitude and I love the way Viking handled it for you.  Hoping the rest of your trip goes perfect.

5 hours ago, molymoo said:

Viking is doing just fine!  We are all adults and responsible for our own health and know what needs to be done.  I am assuming that most of us live in the real world.  We attend public performances, shop in malls, work in schools, offices. etc.  Who is responsible for keeping you from catching anything on a day to day basis?  I spent more than 30 years working in a pre-school for special needs students which was frankly a bit like working in a petri dish but never caught anything that I could reliably trace back to school.  I have been on 12 cruises; three of which had minor "outbreaks" of something nasty and (knock-wood and pass the Purell) I never missed a day for illness.  Take care of yourself and you should be fine.  People who are not responsible about hygiene will always be there no matter how aggressive a cruise line is about hand sanitizer, etc.  

This ^^^^^.    Viking did a great job of stopping the spread of Noro on the Star and Mr Beans stated above what all Viking did for the Sea.   As stated above it can happen on any cruise line. 

Viking does provide a shuttle but I am not certain where we docked.  Let me give everyone advice and don't be stupid like us.  We were dropped off by the shuttle bus and told that we could pick it up in the same area.  We shopped, enjoyed the area and was ready to be picked up.  The Viking representative was there and we carried on a conversation with her as we waited.  A bus pulled up and we jumped on.  As we pulled into the port we realized the bus was for the wrong cruise line.  We talked to the bus driver and he couldn't take us back.  He was scheduled to stay at the port as it was embarkation day for them.   We tried hailing a taxi but to no avail.  Went inside the terminal and a very nice staff  member was able to get us a taxi back to the Star.  Moral of the story is to always make sure that you are getting on the right bus even if there is a Viking staff member standing right there.  We still laugh to this day. 

2 hours ago, caviargal said:

 

A little noro goes a long way  but it appears that it is currently under control. 

It was enough to  close gym, hot tubs, common spa areas and quarantine some passengers, as well as control service in whatever the buffet restaurant is called.  

From live reports now, normalcy has been restored. 

Thankfully,  Viking was able to isolate it fairly well.  I applaud them.    It could have been much worse.

2 hours ago, broker1217 said:

Okay-I stand corrected. Almost 4% of passengers affected. Virus is not confirmed at this point.

 

https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/vsp/surv/outbreak/2019/Viking_Star_2-7.html

 

Crew marginally affected.

Thanks for the link.  

36 of 904 (3.98%) Passengers

Number of crew who have reported being ill during the voyage out of total number of crew onboard: 1 of 461 (0.22%)

It was sounding like a widespread outbreak by the posts.

We never had a problem.

On 2/8/2019 at 12:14 PM, zitsky said:

We have to believe these companies when they tell us who gets the tips.  What if they are lying?  We can't confirm where the money goes.  And they want extra for cruise director, tour guides etc.

We have made a life long friend that worked on Rivers and then went to Ocean.  We became so close that she calls us papa and mama and then our first names behind it.  We video chat all the time.   Let me put your mind at ease, Viking is NOT lying and to imply that is absurd.

6 minutes ago, broker1217 said:

Embarking now

 

https://www.portmiamiwebcam.com

Thanks so much for posting the link.  I really enjoyed seeing "my ship"!